Culture

Argentine culture has been primarily informed and influenced by its European roots. Buenos Aires, considered by many its cultural capital, is often said to be the most European city in South America, due both to the prevalence of people of European descent (mostly Italian and Spanish) and to conscious imitation of European styles in art forms such as its architecture. The other big influence on the development of a national identity is the culture of the gauchos and their traditional country lifestyle of self-reliance. Finally, indigenous American traditions (like mate tea drinking) have been absorbed into the greater cultural realm.

Buenos Aires and other cities show a mixture of architectural styles imported from Europe. In the case of older settlements (and of older preserved neighbourhoods within cities), modern styles appear mixed with colonial features, relics from the Spanish-ruled past. Museums, cinemas and galleries are abundant in all the large urban centres, as well as traditional establishments such as literary bars, or bars offering live music of a variety of genres.

Music

The best-known element of Argentine culture is probably their music and dance, particularly tango. In modern Argentina, tango music is enjoyed in its own right, especially since the radical Ástor Piazzolla redefined the music of Carlos Gardel. It must be noted that while tango refers mostly to a particular dancing music for foreigners, the music together with the lyrics (often sung in a kind of slang called lunfardo) are what most Argentineans primarily mean by tango. Tango lyrics can be considered a kind of poetry.

Folk music and dance are popular in provincial Argentina, whether blends of European and pre-Columbian styles, like the chamamé of Mesopotamia, or European folk-style like Basque or Welsh dance.

Since the 1970s, rock and roll is also widely appreciated in Argentina. First during the 1970s and then again at the mid 1980s and the beginning of the 1990s, national rock and roll and pop music experienced bursts of popularity, with many new bands (such as Soda Stereo and Sumo) and composers (like Charly García and Fito Páez) becoming important referents of national culture. National rock and pop then gave way to other genres, like the Argentine version of cumbia, together with ska, reggae and variations of techno, Eurodance, electronica and so on.

European classical music is well-considered in Argentina, with the Teatro Colón one of the best opera houses in the world. Musicians such as Martha Argerich and composers like Lalo Schifrin have become internationally famous.

Sports

Argentines are extremely involved in sports. Fútbol (soccer) is more of a national obsession than a game. Argentina won the World Cup in 1978 and 1986 and the gold medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics for men's soccer, and the exploits of Diego Maradona have kept fans, paparazzi and columnists busy for the past 20 years. Tennis, rugby and field hockey are also important and Argentina won gold at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens for men's basketball. The great Formula One driver, Juan Manuel Fangio was Argentinian.

The rich, heavily influenced by English customs, have traditionally enjoyed polo and Argentina dominates this sport. During recent times, international polo player Adolfo Cambiasso has tried to get the middle and lower class of Argentina closer to polo. To do so he has adopted several football traditions to polo, like celebrating goals and so on.

More than half of the population practises some sport or at least performs some physical exercise, such as walking or jogging. Regular practice of football, going to a gym and riding a bicycle are the three most common activities of this kind.

Literature

In terms of literature, Argentina's most famous authors are Jorge Luis Borges, considered one of the greatest 20th century writers of the world (poems, short stories and non-fiction essays), Adolfo Bioy Casares and Julio Cortázar. Bioy Casares wrote some books in collaboration with Borges. Cortázar was voluntarily exiled in Europe during the rule of Juan Domingo Perón; Borges had problems with Peronism too, and saluted its fall in 1955 with joy, though he later became disillusioned with the military dictators. Both Borges and Cortázar died abroad: Borges in Geneva in 1986, and Cortázar in Paris in 1984.

Film and Theatre

Argentine cinema has achieved international recognition with films such as The Official Story and 9 Queens, though it has only rarely been taken into account by mainstream viewers. Even low-budget productions, however, have obtained prizes in cinema festivals (such as Cannes). The city of Mar del Plata organises its own festival dedicated to this art.

A study in August 2005 found that about one third of Argentineans had attended the cinema in the previous three months, particularly people younger than 35. By contrast, theatre is not nearly as popular, and it is considered elitist; only about 10% of Argentineans attend plays regularly or frequently, and they focus on lighter comedy and musical shows.

Painting and Sculpture

Perhaps one of the most enigmatic figures of Argentine culture is Oscar Agustín Alejandro Schulz Solari, aka Xul Solar, whose watercolour style and unorthodox painting media draws large crowds at museums worldwide; he also 'invented' two imaginary languages. The works of Candido Lopez (in Naïve art style), Emilio Pettoruti (cubist), Antonio Berni (neo-figurative style), Fernando Fader, and Guillermo Kuitca are appreciated internationally.

Benito Quinquela Martín is considered to be the quintessential 'port' painter, to which the city of Buenos Aires and particularly the working class and immigrant-bound La Boca neighbourhood, was excellently suited for. Lucio Fontana and Leon Ferrari are acclaimed sculptors and conceptual artists.